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Grella the latest injury concern

By Vitor Sobral | 11 February 2009 | 09:00

A short time ago everything was going to plan for the Socceroos ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Japan but at their final training session at Nissan Stadium before Wednesday's game, midfield general Vince Grella walked off the pitch just after the warm up.

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It's an unexpected setback for Pim Verbeek, who only a short time beforehand said his team was all fit and raring to go. If Grella is injured, and we may not know until shortly before kick-off how serious his calf strain is, then it throws up another line-up conundrum for Australian national team coach.

There's been plenty of talk that Tim Cahill will start in the long ranger role up front with Brett Holman in behind. I'm not convinced, especially after the last training session.

When the team was practising crosses, Cahill and Kennedy were always together, which suggests they will both start.

At Tuesday's press conference I asked Verbeek if Kennedy's recent lack of match time was a problem, and he replied, "Not for us".

If Kennedy does start against Japan, it does beg the question of who will play in Brett Emerton's role on the right side of midfield. I think Mark Bresciano may take that spot, with David Carney playing on the left side of the five-man midfield.

My reason? Carney was being used in that position all night while Holman was mainly central. Also Carney offers more defensive cover in front of a less than match fit Scott Chipperfield.

It's been widely reported throughout the week that Japanese coach Takeshi Okada is a man under pressure. However, he looked fairly relaxed at the press conference.

Some of the Japanese media were asking some curly questions but Okada remained calm and said he was not worried about the result and that his team just want to do the best they can. He even managed to crack a smile.

So despite all the reports, coach Okada may be handling things better than we think.

:: The World Game reporter Vitor Sobral will be blogging every day from Yokohama until Thursday, as the Socceroos face Japan in the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Japan. And don't forget you can hear LIVE audio commentary of the match courtesy of SBS.

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Your Comments

11 Feb 2009 14:27 AEST

Bobby

From: Sydney

Um fraid not Richard, Kewell just happens to be my favourite player of all time, to me the lad can do no wrong, so like...pfft. Not meaning any dis respect to Grella I was just really pumped that he was playing in this one and hoping the injury wasnt that bad .

11 Feb 2009 13:57 AEST

Richard

From: Northern NSW

Huge fan of Vinnie Grella. One of my favourite Socceroos of all time. Great tackling, great distribution, he brings an aura of calm to our transition. Hristo, I don't think you can tell him to "harden up", he's hardly the sort of guy to break down without a reason. Injuries are injuries, if he can't play so be it. You probably bagged out Kewell when his groin muscle wasn't attached to the bone for not playing in the UCL final.

11 Feb 2009 12:10 AEST

Bobby

From: Sydney

Somebody wrap this guy in bubble wrap or something, big fan of Grella but that stinks so hard mind you, if they had spies watching maybe they wanted em to think he was out I dont know. one thing I do know is people seem to be putting to much stock in the Psycological side of the game, Japan coach under preasure, claims of a mental edge! all irelevant both teams are coming to play, History and the media mean next to nothing. seriously though Grella harden up, get out there and kick some tail!